I've rarely been able to walk past a bookshop without popping in to have a quick peruse. This day was no exception, and on leaving the gym I automatically ventured into a small retail outlet. Expansive reasonably priced book stores are one of the many things I miss. Polish bookshops are not anywhere near as interesting or diverse as back in Britain where we are spoilt with a wealth of wonderful reading and big bright coffee table books. In the UK you can buy a book on anything. My last trip down Charing Cross Road culminated in the purchases of Street Covers - a black & white photographic record of manhole covers, Meetings with Remarkable Trees, Last Letters of Audrey Beardsley, Fine Silks & Oak Counters - Debenhams 1778-1978, Decorated Paper Designs, Mythical Beasts, Wings of the World - Tales from the Golden Age of Air Travel, Beer Memorablia, The Fifty Worst Movies of all Time, and a beautiful lavishly illustrated extra large format volume Voyages of Discovery - Three Centuries of Natural History Exploration. One could not hope to find any books like these in Poland, or indeed any photographic books of interest other than about Poland itself.
On establishing that the stock of this particular premises consisted of the usual sparse collection of cheap quality paperbacks and touristy tomes on the Polish countryside, I was about to depart when a gorgeous girl in an outfit that could best be described as minimal asked me if there was anything particular I was looking for. Mmm... tempting, I told her I was merely browsing but of course always open to suggestions. She ended up recommending Paulo Coelho whom I've never read and she adores having whizzed through all but his last one Brigate (which they didn't have).
Somewhat distracted by this nymphet who continued to smile at me as I wandered round in a state of agitation, I sneaked out and purchased a card nearby and a copy of Brigate which I deposited with her a little while later. She sent me a text not long after that and we arranged to meet during the week.
Word of the week: Ksiegarnia meaning bookshop.
